Budd-Chiari syndrome from an advanced practice nurse perspective.

Purpose: To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with a case study and literature review of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). This rare liver disease has a multitude of clinical presentations that NPs may encounter in the primary care setting.

Data Source: A literature search was conducted in Pub-Med and CINAHL using key search words. Information for the case study was obtained from a patient and his gastroenterology specialist, who is a foremost expert in this field.

Conclusion: BCS is complex and may be difficult to diagnose because of its atypical clinical presentation. Delayed diagnosis can affect the quality and quantity of a patient's life. Increasing NPs' awareness about this rare condition through a case presentation and review of the literature emphasizes the major factors for accurate diagnosis.

Implications For Practice: Knowledge of BCS can assist the NP in identifying this syndrome and making prompt, appropriate referrals.